Active Lifestyle Benefits Seniors

FEBRUARY 01, 2005

Social interaction and physical activity
may be the keys for better sleep and
improved cognition among seniors. In a
study, reported in Sleep (December 15,
2004), researchers from Northwestern
University examined 12 healthy older
men and women between 67 and 86
years of age. The results of the study
showed that 14 weeks of a daily 90-
minute social and physical activity program
improved cognitive performance
by 4% to 6%, and also helped sleep
quality.

The program followed by the participants
involved 30 minutes of stretching,
walking, and stationary upper and lower
body exercises, followed by 30 minutes
of social interaction. The last 30 minutes
included mild-to-moderate physical activity.
The program concluded with a
10-minute cool down.